Akuo To Build 80 MW / 220 MWh SantasBAT Storage Project In Portugal With €15 Million PRR Funding To Advance National Energy Transition

Akuo, a global company specialising in renewable energy, is preparing to begin construction on SantasBAT, a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with a capacity of 80 MW of power and 220 MWh of storage. The project will be built in Borba and will operate alongside Akuo’s Santas photovoltaic plant. SantasBAT is considered an important part of Portugal’s national energy transition and is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2027. The project has secured nearly €15 million in funding through Portugal’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), under the NextGenerationEU programme. This financial support is aimed at boosting investment in energy storage technologies and will help build infrastructure that strengthens the resilience and sustainability of Portugal’s electricity grid.

SantasBAT will be integrated directly with the Santas solar plant, which has been in operation since September 2024 and has an installed capacity of 181 MW. The energy storage system will make it possible to store clean electricity generated during the daytime and supply it when demand is higher or when solar production decreases. The battery’s storage capacity is equivalent to powering a city the size of Évora for around five hours.

João Macedo, CEO of Akuo in Portugal, said that SantasBAT will serve as an important tool in supporting the country’s energy transition. He explained that as renewable energy continues to expand, storage becomes a natural and essential next step. By shifting solar energy to periods of higher demand and providing key ancillary services, energy storage can reduce dependence on fossil fuels, increase the share of renewables, and strengthen Portugal’s overall energy independence.

The new storage system is expected to bring several benefits. It will help maximise the use of electricity generated by the Santas solar plant and improve the reliability of supply by smoothing out the natural variations in renewable energy production. Additionally, SantasBAT will help prevent the loss of renewable energy during times of excess production and support Portugal’s long-term decarbonisation goals. This project aligns with the country’s target of reaching 85% renewable energy in total electricity generation by 2030.

During the construction phase, which will continue until the second quarter of 2027, Akuo will implement measures to minimise local impacts, with particular attention to safety and community well-being. Through this project, the company reinforces its ongoing commitment to working closely with local communities and contributing to a cleaner, more efficient energy future.